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The destroyed family, friends and loved ones gathered Monday night at the memorial to 16-year-old Joel Mercado, who was shot and killed over the weekend at a Covina house party.
The fatal incident on August 16 unfolded as several reports suggested, between the ages of 16 and 18 in the 600 block of East Camellia Drive, near Peachtree Lane, depicting more than 100 teenagers.
Covina Police Station officials responded to reports of the shooting at the location shortly after 10pm, deployed helicopters to the scene and deployed K-9 units on the ground.
Paramedics rushed Mercado to a nearby hospital in danger, where he later succumbed to his injuries and died before his family even found out what had happened.
A gun was recovered at the scene, several individuals were taken into custody and questioned, but it is unclear whether investigators have a lead in the case.
In dealing with unimaginable sadness, Mercado’s mother gathered the power to visit her son’s memorial for the first time on Monday.
Joel Mercado, 16, was seen in a photo of a monument that was established after him in the Covina Party on August 16, 2025. (KTLA) Joel Mercado, 16, (center) seen with his extended family in this undated photo. (Adrena Nunez) Joel Mercado, 16, can be seen in this undated photo of a family member. (Adrena Nunez) The family is grieving the loss of Joel Mercado, who was shot dead at the Covina House Party on August 16, 2025. Evidence is seen after alleged shooting at a house party in Covina in August 2025 (RMG). Evidence is seen after alleged shooting at a house party in Covina in August 2025 (RMG). August 2025 (RMG) A person is seen in custody after alleged shooting at a house party with a teenager in Covina. August 2025 (RMG) teenager is waiting to leave Covina’s home after alleged shooting at a party. August 2025 (RMG) teenager is waiting to leave Covina’s home after alleged shooting at a party. August 2025 (RMG)
“It’s very difficult because we didn’t see him,” said Andrena Nunez, her 16-year-old sister. “There are no updates. There are no words from the detectives. I believe they are doing due diligence.”
The family said the teenagers didn’t venture much from home. He attended online high school classes and spent time with his extended family, including five siblings. He was particularly close to his grandfather, they said.
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“He was a very bright young boy and was ready to make life easier for the rest of his life,” her uncle Reuben Hernandez shed tears. “He enjoyed hiking with my dad and took his dog for a walk. He enjoyed cooking so much, always smiling and making people happy.”
Frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation, the family is irritated, and his sister tells Ktla that he believes he is involved in an argument in the party and was shot while he was about to leave.
“We couldn’t say goodbye, we never were with him,” Nunes said. “He was alone.”
The family organized the GoFundMe to help their beloved young families rest.
Detectives from the Covina Police Station confirmed to KTLA that although there are likely dozens of witnesses in the interview, no arrests have been made in the case.
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